Someone tell me what I should be doing!

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

OK small update but a good one! I got a hold of the friend of mine who might have some way of helping me. Her cousin works with the board of ed as a pyschometrist. She unfortunately cannot test Ethan because it is a work conflict but she is willing to speak to me about what is going on and give me as much information as she can.

Then this morning, Ethan's paediatrician called in regards to the letter he is writing to the school to hopefully bump him up the list. We had an AMAZING talk. He agreed that Ethan's meds should be adjusted and that in the meantime (while we wait for this testing) he should be referred to a child developmental specialist. YEAH! So next week when I see him we will discuss the situation further and he will make that referral.

It was great. I didn't have to fight or argue. He is totally on board with me and it feels so great to know that he is on my sons side in all of this.

No whether or not Ethan actually has aspergers will remain to be seen. I hope and pray that he doesn't. I believe something other than the ADD is definately going on however. At least now we are one step closer to finding out what is going on in my little boys head and getting him the help that he needs.

Thanks for being there and getting me through the last few days guys. I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel!

[JarBax]

That is really good news Rachel! Keep us updated!

[wolfie]

That's wonderful Rachel! You sound so much more relieved. What a difference a helpful and supportive pediatrician can make! We ended up having to change peditricians to one who likes to work exclusively with ADD/ADHD kids. Our old pediatrician informed me that girls can't have ADD! Amazing isn't it? Our new doctor did tell me that at least 30% of kids with ADD have some type of co-morbidity. Maybe this is what is happening with Ethan. Hopefully the testing will help identify what else is happening and having an insider to help you understand all of the testing is AWESOME. I am so glad that things are finally moving. I hope the testing can be done soon and that the results don't indicate Aspergers. I'm also crossing my fingers!

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

Oh please! Girls can't have ADD? For crying out loud! Heck the paediatrician thinks I most likely have ADD! So far I guess I have managed but when I look back at my history in school and what not I can see where that could have been a possibility. I think a lot of girls get undiagnosed becaue generally their social skills are far more advanced. As well they tend to be the girls who get in trouble for talking too much or daydreaming. Both things I was constantly in trouble for. Just because it presents differently it doesn't mean it's not there! I can't get over the fact that in this day and age that Dr's can be so dense! It boggles the mind!

And yes I am feeling a lot better. This is a battle I have fought since Ethan was in grade 1. I finally feel like I can win the war. This paediatrician is great. He is totally accomodating. And how many Dr's do you know that actually call you? I don't think I have ever had a Dr. do that! So thanks for the finger crossing and good wishes. You guys are the best!

[Res Judicata]

I hope she can, too! It's awful to spend time knowing your child has a problem, but not being able to get someone to diagnose it.

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

Well the family Dr gave him a higher does of his pills but now I have another small concern. The pills are significantly larger than his last ones. I am afraid the poor little guy won't be able to swallow it! Well hopefully he does ok and if it causes a problem we can deal with it when we see the paediatrician next week. He's on 36 mg but I know they have an 18 mg so maybe if the 36 is too hard he can take 2 18's ? Tomorrow morning should be interesting. I will let you know how he makes out. Lets just hope his tonsils aren't too big! Have a great night everyone!

[fairysari]

Caviegal, this was serious thread about a mother who is genuinely worried about her son.

I find your post utterly insensitive and inconsiderate.

Besides, we are perfectly capable of posting questions and chatting about guinea pigs right here on this site.

RCC - I wish you the best of luck, it sounds like Ethan is on the road to success (and I bet a dog couldn't hurt!).

[Guinea_Pig]

I also have what your son has. I really dont have friends. If he is like me he wouldnt be wanting to have friends. He would be contant the way his life is. He would be happy living his life by reading all the time. Also that could be the way he vegs out.

Do you have anything speical for him at his school?

Did you ever hear of quiet muffs? I use them sometimes and they are great.

Also maybe you should each day write or print out what you are doing that day and give it to your son so he knows what is happening every second of the day.
For the pills, could you cut them in half? Also you might want to crush them and put them in applesauce.

If you need support or questions feel free to PM me.

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

Thanks Fairysari! I was wondering what the heck that message had to do with my son! I just didn't have a chance to give them a piece of my mind! So the paediatrician is referring him to Chedoke eh! It's fantastic because I can walk to it. Everyone else is so far away. The family Dr is east mountain, the paediatrician is Stoney Creek, he sees an opthalmologist at Mac (he has one eye that is a little weak and we use glasses to bring it in). It will be nice to be able not have to get my hubby to get out of work to take us to it!

Hey guinea pig! If I have any questions I am glad to know I can PM you. Thanks for that. I have never heard of quiet muffs but I am sure at Chedoke they can help me with that. As for his ADD meds they are time released to unfortunately they can't be crushed or cut. But that is a good idea though! I think he doesn't care too much about friends at this point which is good because it protects him for now from getting hurt by rejection. Perhaps a built in mechanism for just that purpose?

Anyway, I will let you know how breakfast goes and if he actually manages to swallow the horse pills. I don't envy him that's for sure! As for the dog, I still have to convince the hubby but he isn't saying no. It would be nice to have a little furball to snuggle up to on the couch!

[Guinea_Pig]

Also quiet muffs for hunters work well too. Pherhaps, or he feels they dont understand him so he reads all time.

[aqh88]

Reading about parents trying so hard for their kids kinda makes me feel like crying. I was in highschool before anyone took notice that anything was wrong. Even then my mom did nothing except take me to the psychiatrist the school required who said I was possibly autistic but nothing was done about it except to have me do this online thing and since I passed it so well they did not require me to take english classes. It was another 2 years after 8years(that I can remember) of no friends, hardly any sleep at night, and crying every morning I went to school before my mom did anything. It required writing her a suicide note to get her attention. Just the fact you are doing anything now when he needs it is worth something even if there are times you don't seem to make much progress.

I think he doesn't care too much about friends at this point which is good because it protects him for now from getting hurt by rejection. Perhaps a built in mechanism for just that purpose?

Does he actually turn down anyone's attempts to make friends or just not initiate interaction with others? It's still undecided if I'm actually autistic but every description of your son sounds like me and from my own point of view just reading and not seeming to care about friends was because I had no idea how to start making friends. In kindergarten I remember walking around the playground with my head down for the entire recess everyday because I had no idea how to approach anyone. I spent most of school spaced out in my own world I made up in my head cause I had no idea what to say and noone would talk to me first or help me make friends. Even in college I just kinda go through my day seperate from everyone else and don't interact with any of them unless they initiate it. What would have helped me is someone to approach others very frequently while I was around or watching so I could observe how to begin a conversation and meet other people.

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

For my son it is all about the books. He often takes one out at recess instead of trying to play. He does have a friend or 2 that share a love of star wars but usually it ends up in a fight because they make him mad and he doesn't know how to express it properly and hits one of them or something. So then he goes back to his books. They are his safe haven.

On a good note he swallowed the horse pill no problem. I hope that it works well. I guess we will find out in the next little while!

[Guinea_Pig]

I dont blame him for making his books his safe haven.

Thats great that he swallowed the pills!

What helps alot is getting alot of time to veg out.

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

This weekend we took Ethan to the Scout Shop. We signed him up for Cubs earlier in the week. We bought him his shirt, sash and manual. While we were there we also bought the book "the Jungle Book" so that he could better understand the cub background (plus it's great book!).

He was so proud of himself in his uniform! He wore it around for hours Saturday night, saluting himself in the mirror and howling like a wolf cub, saying dyb, dyb, dyb, dob, dob, dob. It made me so happy to see him proud of himself and to see that confidence. (If I can I will post a pic of him so you can see. He's so handsome!)

I think he is going to like Cubs. At least I hope he will once they get into the work of it. I am not sure how hard it is to get badges. Needless to say I was never a Cub, but my husband was. But we are both excited to work with him and help him to succeed.

2 more days until our paediatrician visit. Then hopefully we will soon find out how long of a waiting list there is to get into the Chedoke program. Keep your fingers crossed everyone!

[Guinea_Pig]

If he has a good den and troop he will love it. Badges are not that hard to get but they get harder along the levels. It might bring him out from his books as he might to earn badges on his own and do things from his handbook.

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

His den leaders actually have a son with autism and another one that has a hard time sitting still (not sure if he actually has a problem though). They are very understanding yet seem to be firm enough to handle the boys well. They have 5 kids of their own so I guess they have plenty of experience! Iam really hoping it works out well for him.

Well I've gotta get him ready for school. Dr's appointment is tomorrow! Yeah!

[Guinea_Pig]

Sounds like it will work really well.
Good Luck with the Doctor!

[JarBax]

Am thrilled you got Ethan into cubs! I am a leader with beavers, and help out with scout and cub camps (one this weekend actually!). Hope he has a great time! It is a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, and learn new skills!

Hope the appointment goes well!

[kathmom26]

I am a member of a pretty great online community Our-Kids Website
My oldest son who is in public school in the US is physically and mentally disabled. Not as difficult to get him services. My 14 year old who was dx with PDD many years ago is homeschooled. I have never had him screened again. We are still working on social and empathy skills. Not really sure I can teach some of that.

Kathy

[Rachel's Cavy Cove]

Thanks for the link! I will definately check it out!